Nature and Nitrogen

Nature and Nitrogen under the Environment and Planning Act

With today's nitrogen issues, area protection law is a potential stumbling block for various types of projects. The EPA's entry into force entails very few substantive changes in this field of law. The Nature Protection Act (Wet natuurbescherming) has been repealed with effect from 1 January 2024, and its area protection rules have been incorporated in the EPA's statutory system. The EPA's entry into force also introduced some new area protection instruments.

Our Nature and nitrogen factsheet briefly discusses the new area protection instruments and how they can affect current and scheduled projects. It also highlights a few differences from the old law and sets out the main practical issues to bear in mind. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact one of our experts: Marloes Brans, Monica Sonderegger, Luurt Wildeboer, Rick van der Hulle, Klaas Valkering or Pepijn Smits.